Top 5 Best Organic Foods for Weight Loss

Many Americans struggle with maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle. Many of them have even tried multiple diets and lifestyle changes only to become frustrated with their weight and give up. Eating certain organic foods can actually help you lose weight.

Here are some organic foods that can help with weight loss and dieting.

Free-Range Eggs: Eggs often get a bad reputation because many people fear the cholesterol is too high. Thanks for recent research, eggs actually are a great way to start your day, especially if the eggs are free-range eggs. Eating eggs instead of a bagel in the morning leads to fewer calories consumed throughout the next 36 hours according to a recent study. With free-range eggs, more good fats like omega-3 fatty acids are consumed. Omega-3 fatty acids may help fight heart disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Organic Apples: Eating an apple every day really can help you lose weight. That's because those who ate an apple before a pasta meal consumed less than those who chose another snack, according to a study. Also the antioxidants in apples may also prevent a condition called metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is what many overweight Americans suffer for -- it gives them that "apple-looking" shape in their belly. So, eat apples to prevent looking like an apple in your belly.

Blueberries: Thanks to the antioxidants and rich in fiber content, blueberries are a great choice for a morning or afternoon snack.

Yogurt: Dieticians typically recommend yogurt to those on a diet because of its benefits. There are good carbs, protein and fats in a serving of yogurt. Thanks to yogurt dieters often find themselves satisfied and not craving snacks after eating it.

Green Tea: Even though it's not a food, green tea is a great option for refreshment. Even if you don't change your diet at all, studies have shown that green tea drinkers still lose more weight than people who don't drink it. There's also the natural energy that green tea gives you and this helps with a faster metabolism.

Other Helpers: Almonds are a great snack that can reduce hunger and it may even reduce the risk of heart disease. Try adding almonds to your daily snack or quick lunch. Also, try adding more beans and lentils to your diet.

[via Latin Post]

The Best & Worst Kinds of Smoothies For Your Health

For those with a sweet tooth, giving up things like soda and milkshakes can be hard. Thankfully, a smoothie is nature's answer to that. Loaded with nutrients from fresh fruit and calcium sources, smoothies are a favorite for health nuts and everyone alike. Unfortunately, not all smoothies are created equally.

THE WORST KINDS OF SMOOTHIES

The worst smoothies are loaded with sugar, which — when consumed in excess — can affect nearly every part of the body. Excessive sugar consumption can cause cavities or exacerbate existing oral health problems, says dental-care network Kool Smiles Facts. And poor oral health is linked with serious health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Smoothie Mixes

If you’re trying to better your health, it’s best to focus your diet around whole and natural foods. Packaged smoothie mixes are often packed with sugar, sodium and artificial ingredients. Make sure to carefully check the ingredient list and Nutrition Facts label, and skip the overly processed mixes.

 

Fruit Juices

Most of the fruit juices sold at the stores are not what they seem. While you may be reading apple juice on the label, what's inside is likely just concentrate, sugar and water. If your smoothie has been made with the fruit juices (even ones marketed as a "healthier" option) you are likely drinking too much sugar. Try to avoid smoothies created with "100% juice,” and instead go for real juice made from 100% natural ingredients.

Made with Yogurt

Smoothies made with yogurt sound like a healthy choice. After all, yogurt is supposed to be a good source of calcium and protein. Consuming yogurt is also beloved for its weight control benefits. However, some of the popular yogurt brands are full of useless ingredients and sugar.

THE BEST KINDS OF SMOOTHIES

The best smoothies are the ones that have natural ingredients. They are better for your overall health and loaded with nutrients your body may not be getting anywhere else. Think of your next smoothie as a supplement to your meal and not just a sweet treat for a warm summer day.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is great for your health. When it has no added ingredients, it tends to be high in nutrients that are hard to find in just one place. Loaded with protein, fiber and potassium, it’s an understated nutritional powerhouse.

Freshly Squeezed Juice

Naturally, the best option for a smoothie is freshly squeezed juice. After all, this is what people think they're buying when they order a smoothie. No concentrate for you — just go straight to the source.

Green Tea

Green tea is a natural antioxidant. It is ideal for weight control, boosting the immune system and cleansing the body. As with anything, make sure the green tea being used is all-natural and free of needless additives.

Smoothies are supposed to be a healthier drink option. However, in many cases, a smoothie is just another way to consume too much sugar. Skip the added sugar next time and know the facts before trusting your drink.

[via Hella Wella]

Beat the Sniffles with Immunity-Boosting Foods

In the midst of the travel and cold season, it’s important to incorporate more immune-strengthening foods in our diet. Try adding more of these vitamin rich foods onto your plate this winter:

Mushrooms: These fungi have powerful disease-fighting properties that go beyond vitamins and minerals alone. While different types of mushrooms have distinct healing properties, all mushrooms are prized for their ability to eliminate mucus and toxins in the body, and their natural detox powers are fantastic for our inner health. Shiitakes fight colds and flu, allergies and a depressed immune system, while white button mushrooms are packed with B vitamins and detoxifying power.

Pickles: Or any fermented food populate your digestive tract with friendly, immune-boosting bacteria that help you assimilate nutrients and stay your healthiest. Some experts estimate that the majority of your body’s immune powers originate in your gut! Good digestion is a major factor in overall health,  so reach for the sauerkraut, kimchi, or miso to maintain the proper balance. Note: be sure your pickles are cured in a salt brine (versus vinegar, like most kinds you find in the grocery aisle) to ensure that they contain good probiotic bacteria.

 
Green Tea with Lemon: Drinking green tea is not only a stress-reducing ritual, it’s a dose of preventative medicine. A 2010 International Journal of Cancer study found ingesting a little citrus juice with your green tea enhances its disease-preventing potential by stabilizing its natural polyphenols during digestion.

Garlic: A classic cold-fighter, garlic is a strong antifungal, antibacterial food that keeps our bodies adept at fighting off disease by boosting our white blood cell defenses. So, go ahead add in a few extra cloves to soups, stews and sauces this season.

Ginger: Used in ancient medicine, ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and in case you’re already under the weather, it also eases congestion and existing cold and flu symptoms.

Salmon: This powerful fish has a rare dietary source of vitamin D, an important immunity vitamin (actually a hormone) that may of us lack in the winter when we spend less time under the sun. A 2012 Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry study linked zinc deficiency to disease-related inflammation and even DNA damage. According to the study, about 40 percent of Americans are zinc deficient and deficiency risk increases with age.